Diversity and distribution of section Rhodochlamys (Genus Musa, Musaceae) in India and breeding potential for banana improvement programmes

Abstract

The Indian flora has a wide spectrum of diversity for banana and plantains (Musa spp.), belonging to the sections Eumusa and Rhodochlamys. Eumusa comprises most of the cultivated commercial and food varieties, while Rhodochlamys is known for its many ornamental species. The present article is a review of the Rhodochlamys diversity in India, based on recent explorations where special attention was paid to the habitat of the species. A tentative key was developed for the identification and classification of Rhodochlamys members in India. A number of variants were noticed, and their status as natural or artificial intersectional 'Eumusa × Rhodochlamys' hybrids is discussed